Pasadena Showcase House of the Arts to award $30,000 to classical music students at their 28th Annual Instrumental Competition – Feb. 16

February 13th, 2013 by Temple City Tribune

On Saturday, February 16, the Pasadena Showcase House of the Arts will award $30,000 in monetary prizes to aspiring young musicians at the 28th annual Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition being held at Thayer Hall at the Colburn School in downtown, Los Angeles. Each year, talented musicians aged 16 to 24, compete for prizes in the categories of woodwinds, brass, and strings to further their music education. Since the program began in 1984, nearly $500,00 has been awarded.
“With school cutbacks and music programs being eliminated, it is more important than ever to support these talented young students in their musical endeavors,” said PSHA President Kathryn Hofgaarden. “It’s an honor to be part of an organization that year after year, helps students realize their dreams.”
Thirty-two students from Southern California will be competing for the Grand Prize of $6,000.
For each of the three categories, a first prize in the amount of $4,000 and a $2,500 second prize will be awarded. In addition, honorable mentions in the amounts of $500 will also be announced.
The prizes are distributed the day of the competition following the finals.
“This year, the University of Southern California; University of California, Los Angeles; California Institute of the Arts; California State University, Long Beach; Crescenta Valley and University High Schools; and The Colburn School will be represented,” said Chini Johnson- Taylor, Competition Chair.
The judging panel is made-up of members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the prize monies for the Instrumental Competition are provided from the proceeds of PSHA’s annual benefit event, the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, which takes place April 21 through May 19, 2013. Tickets cost between $35-$45 and can be ordered by mail, online at PasadenaShowcase.org or by calling 714-442-3872.
The success of Showcase has enabled PSHA to make cumulative donations of over $18 million to support outstanding music and arts programs throughout the community. In addition to Instrumental Competition, PSHA supports, Gifts & Grants that are awarded to non-profit organizations for their music initiatives as well as to the support of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association; Pasadena Showcase House Music MobileTM, an award-winning program introducing third-graders throughout the San Gabriel Valley to the instruments of the orchestra; and Pasadena Showcase House Youth Concert, a free concert performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra for fourth-grade students at Walt Disney Concert Hall.